PRESIDENT MASSAMBA-DEBAT SPEAKING TO GUESTS.




Initials AA/V-S/MR/ES



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE PRESIDENT OF CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE, M. ALPHONSE MASSAMBA-DEBAT, SPOKE AT A RALLY IN BRAZZAVILLE ON SUNDAY MARKING THE FOUNDATION OF THE PARTY HE LEADS. THE OPEN-AIR MEETING WAS HELD OUTSIDE THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE RULING NATIONAL REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT (MNR).

MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT, MEMBERS OF THE M.N.R.'s POLITICAL BUREAU AND DIPLOMATS ATTENDED THE RALLY.

M. ALPHONSE MASSAMBA-DEBAT FIRST LED A PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE IN AUGUST 1963 FOLLOWING THE RESIGNATION OF M. FULBERT YOULOU. IN DECEMBER THAT YEAR A NEW CONSTITUTION GAVE THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT FULL POWERS. THE COUNTRY BECAME A ONE-PARTY STATE UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT MASSAMBA-DEBAT IN 1965.